On a day of penalties at Elland Road, Newcastle United were held to a 2-2 draw by Leeds United.
Nick Pope‘s penalty save in the first half allowed the Magpies to burst into life, then Callum Wilson‘s brace from the spot looked like it was going to give Newcastle another vital victory.
But a cruel deflection off of Kieran Trippier handed Leeds an equaliser, earning them a huge point in their bid to stay in the Premier League.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the Magpies, and here are three things we learned from Leeds 2 Newcastle 2
Eight games without a clean sheet for Newcastle
Newcastle United’s wait for a clean sheet goes on. Luke Ayling’s first half goal means that the Magpies have now gone eight games without shutting out their opponents.
The last time Nick Pope did not concede was the 2-0 win over Manchester United at the start of April. The Toon goalkeeper remains on 13 clean sheets, two behind David De Gea in the race for the Premier League Golden Glove.
Alexander Isak on the left does not work
When team news dropped an hour before kickoff, the big surprise was Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson both starting again.
The Sweden international was initially deployed on the left, and it quickly proved to be a mistake. Isak’s defensive deficiencies were exposed early on, with the forward failing to pick up Ayling, who scored the opening goal of the game in the seventh minute.
The 23-year-old was struggling to get into the game, but a tactical tweak from Eddie Howe changed things. Isak moved inside to play just off Wilson, and enjoyed more of the ball in dangerous areas. It led to Newcastle getting the equaliser, with Isak fouled in the are to give his strike partner the chance to net his 16th goal of the season.
Howe should now know that if he wants to play both Wilson and Isak, they both need to be used centrally.
Bruno Guimaraes needs this season to end
While it has been a sensational first full season in Newcastle colours for Bruno Guimaraes, it is obvious that he needs the campaign to draw to a close.
His ankle injury is hindering him more and more each week – he is not dominating games like he was at the start of the season.
It is great to still have him available even if he is not at full fitness, but it is obvious that he needs some kind of treatment once there are no more games left to play.